9 to 11 September 2025
Long Beach Convention Center, California
Headline Partner long-beach-airport Logo
FTE Global 9 to 11 September 2025, Long Beach Convention Center, California

Digital & Innovation Conference Agenda

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Theme: Collaborative Transformation

This long-standing track will include sessions on how airlines and airports can leverage data, digital platforms and innovation to evolve, create new business models and reinvent operations & passenger experiences. Topics include digital transformation, AI, Robotics, digital twins, workforce optimisation, wearable technology, digital identity, private networks, accelerating energy & sustainability strategies plus game-changing inspiration on scaling innovative new approaches from within and outside of our sector. You can expect to hear from United Airlines, Los Angeles World Airports, Spirit Airlines, WebAI, Cincinnati / Northern Kentucky International Airport, British Airways, Publicis Sapient, Southwest Airlines, Schiphol, Aena, Vienna Airport, Alaska Airlines, Gerald R. Ford Airport Authority, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority and many more.

This conference track also hosts our prestigious FTE Americas Innovate Awards pitch sessions which will be judged be senior executives from flyadeal, Munich Airport & TNW Programs.

Browse the full conference track below – or utilise the filter, to quickly, and efficiently locate sessions meeting your specific interest area(s).

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Tuesday 9th September 2025

Tuesday 9th September 08:45 - 12:00

APEX Thought Leadership Conference

Premium Pass

If you are registered for FTE Global with a Premium Pass you will get access to the APEX Thought Leadership sessions taking place in the morning on Tuesday 9th September. PLUS all registrants for FTE Global get complimentary access to the APEX/IFSA Global EXPO exhibition hall and education stages.

Learn more about the benefits of this incredible co-location effort and how the co-location works in practice for participants at both shows, here >>

9:00 am – 9:30 am

Rebuilding India’s Flag Carrier with Purpose, Trust, and Innovation

Campbell Wilson

Chief Executive Officer

Air India

Campbell Wilson shares how Air India’s transformation blends heritage with forward momentum to ‎redefine the passenger experience. Under Tata Group ownership, Air India invests heavily in next-generation ‎aircraft, redesigned cabins, and elevated service to meet the expectations of today’s global travelers. This ‎keynote explores how Air India restores confidence and pride through meaningful upgrades, renewed ‎hospitality, and a vision of world-class excellence grounded in safety, care, and modern passenger needs.‎

9:30 am – 10:00 am
Dr. Andrés Conesa Labastida

CEO

Aeromexico

For more than twenty years under the vision of CEO Andrés Conesa, Aeromexico has transformed from a strong flag carrier into a Latin America’s standard-bearer on the global stage. Conesa’s leadership brought bold fleet renewal with Boeing 787 Dreamliners, expanded alliances that deepened connectivity across continents, and pioneering sustainability initiatives including Latin America’s first transcontinental biofuel flight. His focus on service and reliability has reshaped passenger expectations, with Aeromexico’s Net Promoter Scores (NPS) now edging ahead of the best of the US3. This remarkable climb reflects a steady two-decade journey of innovation and resilience, guided by a leader whose commitment elevated Aeromexico into one of the most trusted and admired airlines in the world. Exclusively at APEX Global EXPO, Conesa will reveal the airline’s path forward into an era of heightened passenger experience to best serve its customers.

10:00 am – 10:30 am

Elevating EL AL into a New Era of Excellence

Dina Ben Tal Ganancia

Chief Executive Officer

EL AL Israel Airlines

Dina Ben Tal Ganancia leads EL AL with a bold vision to redefine the airline’s global standing. Through ‎accelerated fleet modernization, digital transformation, and a renewed focus on premium guest ‎experience, she is positioning EL AL as a competitive force across international markets. This keynote will ‎unveil how EL AL blends legacy with leadership, agility with ambition, and tradition with transformative ‎innovation to enter a new era of global excellence.‎

11:00 am – 11:30 am

Connecting the Unconnected: Breeze’s Mission for Market Transformation

David Neeleman

Founder and Chief Executive Officer

Breeze Airways

Breeze Airways Founder and Chief Executive Officer David Neeleman reveals how the airline’s customer-‎first philosophy fuels one of the most talked-about transformations in U.S. aviation. Built around ‎simplicity, friendliness, and digital convenience, Breeze delivers tailored experiences for travelers often ‎overlooked by legacy route networks. This keynote will explore how Breeze reimagines the journey for ‎mid-sized markets by combining intuitive technology, low fares, and a fresh approach to flexibility and ‎onboard comfort. From booking to baggage claim, Neeleman will detail how Breeze elevates passenger ‎satisfaction through empathy, efficiency, and innovation. He will show how customer experience drives ‎growth, deepens loyalty, and creates new possibilities for regional air travel.‎

11:30 am – 12:00 pm

From the South Pacific to the World Stage: Fiji Airways’ Story of Excellence

Andre Viljoen

Managing Director & CEO

Fiji Airways

Under the leadership of CEO André Viljoen, Fiji Airways has transformed from a boutique island carrier ‎into a global exemplar of performance and innovation. The airline today stands as the highest APEX-‎rated international airline of its size in the world, with Skytrax twice naming it both Best Airline in ‎Australia & Pacific and Best Airline Staff Service in 2023 and 2024, surpassing far larger rivals. Operating ‎a fleet of less than 20 mainline aircraft, Fiji Airways this summer became the smallest airline in the world ‎to introduce Dining on Demand in Business Class, a bold move that redefined guest choice and premium ‎service. André also guided the airline into a selective partnership with the American Airlines AAdvantage ‎program, extending Fiji’s global reach while preserving the warmth and authenticity that define its ‎brand. His keynote tells the story of how vision, discipline, and cultural pride can lift even the smallest of ‎carriers to world-class status.‎

Register now >>
12:00 - 13:00

Lunch

13:00 - 13:30

FTE APEX IFSA EXPO Opens, VIP Tours & Showcases

Tuesday 9th September 13:15 - 15:00

FTE Baggage Innovation Working Group meeting

Members only

The FTE Baggage Innovation Working Group (BIWG) brings together the most innovative and progressive baggage supply chain companies, airlines, and airports from across the industry to provide a unique platform for cooperation and industry advancement. It is the platform for game-changing proof of concepts (POCs) & developing new techniques, technologies, and business models to deliver tangible change in the baggage sector.

Please contact us for more information Airlines can join the FTE BIWG for free

Register now >>
Tuesday 9th September 13:30 - 15:00

The FTE Sprint Sessions

Premium Pass

We will crowdsource problem statements for our sector, and in our Sprint Sessions taking place in a dedicated zone on the show floor, attendees with an interest in the topic can gather and participate in one of the three 20-minute Sprint Sessions to quickly brainstorm, and suggest potential solutions or approaches, that could address the challenge. The output will be shared with all attendees, and the industry at large, post-event.

  • 13:20-13:40 – Topic 1: Tech and experiential strategies for enhancing accessibility
  • 14:00-14:20 – Topic 2: Use cases for Agentic AI in aviation
  • 14:40-15:00 – Topic 3: Strategies to achieve end-to-end CX personalisation
Register now >>
Tuesday 9th September 15:00 - 15:30

Tech & Innovation Briefing - Baggage

Exhibition Pass

Our popular Tech & Innovation Briefings on the exhibition floor allow attendees to join guided tours and meet exhibitors with relevant products, services and concepts to learn more about the subjects they are most interested in. You can expect briefings in 2025 around a variety of pertinent topics, each briefing subject is scheduled to succeed a related conference session.

BagsID Logo
Loadsters Logo
SITA
Analogic
micro-x
Register now >>
Tuesday 9th September 15:30 - 17:00

FTE Global Opening Keynote Session

Premium Pass
Welcome Address:
Daniel Coleman

Founder & Chairman

Future Travel Experience

Industry Keynote

Vantage Group is an industry leader in investment, development, management, and advisory services around the world with major airport and transportation facilities active across the globe, including the new T6 at JFK which opens early next year. How is the group innovating and driving collaboration between airport operator, airline tenants and stakeholder partners to transform facilities, overcome challenges, create better passenger experiences, and drive operational efficiency & revenue performance?

Innovation keynote

From “Moonshots” to a “Space Program” in Enterprise Innovation: Making Growth Repeatable and Scalable

Most companies can pull off a “moonshot” project once, given all the pieces fall in the right place. But the key for long-term success is making innovation-led growth repeatable. This keynote explores what it takes to build a true “space program”: a system which consistently generates and scales, bold ideas that drive measurable growth.

Dan Toma is an innovation thought leader and the co-author of the award-winning book ‘The Corporate Startup’ (awarded ‘Management Book of the Year for Innovation and Entrepreneurship’ by Chartered Management Institute and The British Library in 2018) and Innovation Accounting. He started his career in entrepreneurship, being involved with technology startups across the world. Puzzled by the questions ‘why are innovative products mainly launched by startups?’, together with his team at the consultancy company OUTCOME, he focuses on enterprise innovation transformation. Specifically on the changes blue-chip organisations need to make to allow for new ventures to be built in a corporate setting. In this capacity he worked with companies like Deutsche Telekom, DNB, Jaguar Land Rover, Bayer, John Deere, ING & Allianz.

Register now >>
Tuesday 9th September 17:00 - 18:00

FTE Global Happy Hour

Exhibition Pass

Make the most of the vital networking opportunities provided at the FTE Global Happy Hour, where delegates can enjoy demonstrations in the exhibition and network with their peers over drinks.

Sponsored by SkySquad

Register now >>

Wednesday 10th September 2025

07:45 - 17:30

Registration Open

Wednesday 10th September 08:00 - 09:00

U.S. CBP Symposium

Premium Pass

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Overview of efforts to Further Secure and Enhance Air and Sea Travel Through Technology Innovation

CBP has expanded public/private partnerships with the airlines, airports, and cruise lines to provide travelers a secure, seamless, and touchless inspections process and enhance the passenger experience. With the anticipated increase in travel to the United States for the World Cup in 2026 and the LA Olympics in 2028, CBP is innovating the inspections process to add an extra layer of security while streamlining entry into the U.S. In this session, CBP executives will provide an update on CBP’s ongoing efforts to leverage advanced technology like facial biometrics and mobile applications to further secure and enhance travel in the air and sea environments.

Moderator
Samuel Ingalls

Principal

Barich, Inc

Speakers
Oscar Acuña

Acting Port Director at LAX

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Africa Bell

Seaport Director in Long Beach

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Register now >>
09:00 - 17:30

Exhibition Hall Open

Wednesday 10th September 09:00 - 09:30

Morning Keynote

Elevating Aviation with Extended Reality – Unlocking the potential of Immersive Experiences to reimagine collaboration among air transport stakeholders

Register now >>
Wednesday 10th September 09:30 - 10:30

The Technology Leaders Conversation – What are the technologies, and underlying infrastructure and approaches needed, to drive real transformation in air transport?

Premium Pass

Format:

Each speaker gets 5 minutes to present their tech deployment strategies before a fast-moving panel discussion.

Moderator:
Ross Falconer

Head of Content

Future Travel Experience

Panellists:
Sagi Varghese

Managing Director, Airport Operations & CSD Technology

United Airlines

Aura Moore

CIO

Los Angeles World Airports

James Williamson
James Williamson

CEO

Veovo

Iyad Hindiyeh

Chief Digital Transformation Officer

San Francisco International Airport

Topics of discussion:
  • What are the technologies that will be most game-changing to air transport in the next 20 years?
  • What new business models and revenue opportunities could air transport stakeholders open up by becoming truly digital-first businesses?
  • How do you successfully embed AI within your organisation and what should be the end game for how it drives your business?
  • How significant will quantum computing be to air transport?
  • What should a modern tech stack look like and should we avoid layering technology on top of existing systems, or always integrate it as the engine for true business transformation?
  • How much can new technologies & automation really impact efficiency and CX efforts, and how do you bring all these enablers together effectively instead of being siloed?
  • What are the best data and foundational strategies to underpin digital transformation efforts?
Register now >>
Wednesday 10th September 10:30 - 11:15

Tech & Innovation Briefing - Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML) and Extended Reality (XR)

Exhibition Pass
10:30 - 11:30

Coffee Break on the exhibition floor

Wednesday 10th September 11:30 - 12:00

Special Segment: Crowdsourced Safety: What 4,400 Photos Can Teach AI (and us)

Premium Pass

This segment will offer a compelling case study of how AI is already transforming ground operations by reinforcing a vital safety rule concerning the Fire Suppression Line in the cargo hold – a rule that, if violated, has life-or-death implications as tragically demonstrated in the case of ValuJet Flight 592. This session delivers a practical, real-world demonstration of AI in action, not conceptual hype. Attendees will learn how these stakeholders collaborated to practically solve a problem with profound implications for aircraft safety.

Moderator:
Kevin Kleist

Head of Emerging Trends

Southwest Airlines

Panellists:
Jason Fogelman

Aviation Technology Executive

 

Doug Kreuzkamp
Doug Kreuzkamp

Founder/CEO

Springshot

Mike Morin

VP of Business Development and Partnerships

webAI

Register now >>
Wednesday 10th September 11:45 - 12:45

Innovation Keynote Round Table Breakout

Alternative Session Choice

Premium Pass

Inside the innovation system: lifting the hood on what makes corporate innovation-led growth repeatable and scalable.

Dan Toma

Co-founder

OUTCOME

Join this roundtable if you want to double-click on what it really takes to make innovation-led growth a sustainable, repeatable process for your enterprise—one that runs on a system, not a group of superheroes. We’ll explore how leading brands have aligned their growth agendas with strategy, culture, leadership, and processes to build engines of continuous growth. Expect a candid, practical conversation about what works, what doesn’t, and how to build innovation that drives results.

Register now >>
Wednesday 10th September 12:00 - 12:45

The FTE AI Symposium – Part 1: Case studies on how organisations are putting AI to work across their businesses

Premium Pass

Moderator’s presentation:

What can the air transport industry learn from other sectors about effective AI implementation?

George Sammit

Staff Computer Scientist, Intelligent Systems

Southwest Research Institute

Case studies:

Listen in on how CVG is going CLEAR with scalable, AI-enabled software for critical limits evaluation and alternative routing to maximise strategic growth and minimise bottlenecks.

Brian Cobb

Chief Innovation Officer

Cincinnati / Northern Kentucky International Airport

Steve Cundy

Founder & CEO

Tuatara Consulting

Tom Driscoll

Director – Service Delivery

Tuatara Consulting

How is British Airways harnessing AI and other leading-edge technology to boost operational performance at London Heathrow – Europe’s busiest airport – to record levels?

Tom Moran

Director of Heathrow

British Airways

Register now >>
12:45 - 14:30

Lunch and networking on the exhibition floor with exclusive launches and unveilings

Wednesday 10th September 13:30 - 14:15

FTE Americas Innovate Awards Pitch Session - Startups & Vendors

Exhibition Pass

Best New Transformative Concept

At the epicentre of this show is the region’s largest and most respected innovation competition. Industry stakeholders will pitch on-stage in an effort to impress our judges and audience, whose all-important votes will dictate who wins.

The format will be 5-minute pitch sessions by 6 Startups & Vendors for our shortlisted companies with quick-fire questions and comments from the judges on their transformative concept.

Best New Transformative Concept shortlist

Reimagining the International Arrival process

Craig Mateer

CEO

Bagcheck

BagCheck and Brock Solutions – these are both BIWG Strategic Partners and their SmartClear IRBS solution is transformational for the connecting passenger experience in the US. SmartClear IRBS is now live at Sydney Airport and Heathrow (for American Airlines flights to DFW).

Transforming the Journey: Automated Baggage Handling

Reeg Allen

President & CEO

Journey Robotics

Robotic baggage handling solution that seamlessly integrates with existing infrastructure to automate the physically demanding and repetitive tasks of baggage handling.

RozieAI Journey – Powering Effortless Travel with Hyper-Personalized Experiences

James Thompson

Head of Solution Delivery

RozieAI Journey

RozieAI Journey – an AI-powered platform designed to help airlines and airports deliver seamless, proactive, and personalised guidance to travellers at every stage of their journey. It has already had success and now powers Air Canada’s end-to-end day-of-travel experience through the airline’s mobile app.

GenAI in Security Screening: Catalyzing Innovation and Improving the Traveler Experience

Eric Fiterman

Chief Technology Officer

Cignal

An innovative platform that uses prompt-to-image capabilities to generate high-fidelity, fully labeled synthetic checkpoint data – from X-ray and CT scans to millimeter wave (MMW) images – in seconds.

The Jetstream Effect: How Data Sharing and AI will break Barriers in Aviation

Eric Lanier

Vice President, Product Solutions

DataArt

DataArt – AILA (AI Lake Accelerator) is a modular, cloud-native framework that unifies siloed airline and airport data into an Agentic AI-ready environment, improving operational efficiency and enhancing the passenger experience. It has already delivered measurable impact across multiple aviation deployments.

Register now >>
Wednesday 10th September 14:30 - 15:30

The FTE AI Symposium – Part 2: A deep-dive into Agentic AI and the move towards Artificial General Intelligence

Premium Pass

Format:

Each speaker gets 5 minutes to share how they are exploring Agentic AI, their perspectives on how it can redefine automation, and how transformational the ultimate move towards Artificial General Intelligence will be, before a fast-moving panel discussion.

Moderator:
Teaque Lenahan

Managing Partner & Group VP

Publicis Sapient

Panellists:
Sree Samudrala

Director of Artificial Intelligence & Automation

Southwest Airlines

Kushal Pasari

Director of GenAI & ML Engineering

United Airlines

Stanislaw Schmal

Director Digital & AI

Lufthansa Industry Solutions

Christopher Gottlieb

Manager Enterprise Business Intelligence

JetBlue

Goutam Kundu

EVP & Chief Digital Strategy and Information Officer

Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority

Sponsored by Publicis Sapient

Register now >>
15:30 - 16:30

Networking on the exhibition floor

Wednesday 10th September 15:30 - 16:15

Tech & Innovation Briefing - Accessibility - Autonomous wheelchairs & other exciting new technology & services to improve accessibility for all

Exhibition Pass
Wednesday 10th September 15:45 - 16:15

Digital, Innovation & Startup Hub – Meet the Captains

Visit the Future Travel Experience booth where you can meet the Captains of the FTE Digital, Innovation & Startup Hub and learn what makes this community so unique. The FTE Hub is designed specifically for the individuals and organisations who are at the forefront of digital transformation and innovation. The core themes are Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and the Internet of Things.

Register now >>
Wednesday 10th September 16:30 - 17:30

Deep Dive with our Top Speakers in an intimate environment

(option 2) Open to FTE World Ancillary & Retailing members

Premium Pass Members only

This exclusive session offers a unique opportunity to delve deeper into the key subjects, matters and insights from previous sessions, with the expert speakers who contributed to it. Dive into thought-provoking conversations and gain valuable knowledge and perspectives in a focused and intimate environment. Don’t miss out on this enriching experience to interact closely with our esteemed speakers.

Moderator:
Guðmundur Daði Rúnarsson
Guðmundur Daði Rúnarsson

Chief Commercial and Airport Development Officer

Keflavik Airport

FTE Executive Advisory Board Member

Register now >>
Wednesday 10th September 16:30 - 16:50

Special Segment - Agentic AI in Travel

Premium Pass

Explore the transformative potential of Agentic AI in the travel industry. In this session, we will showcase real-world demos highlighting how Agentic AI is being applied across travel use cases—from hyper-personalized customer experiences to intelligent operations and decision-making.

Steve Hodges

Co-practice lead - Aviation

Nagarro

Vinay Yadav

Practice lead - Aviation, North America

Nagarro

Register now >>
Wednesday 10th September 16:50 - 17:10

Special Segment

Premium Pass

Fireside Chat – “AI & The Future of Aviation: Reshaping Travel with Spoken Data,”

Amir Haramaty

Co-Founder & President

aiOla

Kushal Pasari

Director of GenAI & ML Engineering

United Airlines

Register now >>
Wednesday 10th September 20:30 - 23:00

FTE Global Networking Party (featuring the FTE Global Awards Ceremony)

Premium Pass

This year’s FTE Global Networking Party will take place at the Hotel Maya – a full-scale Latin American-inspired resort with a distinctive Southern California combination of spectacular, oceanfront views amidst 14 acres of lush, tropical gardens dotted with 500 palm trees in a modern, open-air setting. The event will be this year’s premier industry networking event, providing a perfect opportunity to unwind and network with fellow attendees in a relaxed environment.

It will also provide the perfect location for the industry-leading FTE Global Pioneer Awards ceremony sponsored by Assaia, which will recognise the world’s most pioneering airports and airlines with innovation projects prevalent across their entire organisations. Three airports and three airlines will be highly commended, while three more airports and airlines will receive FTE Global Pioneer Awards trophies. As part of the evening we will also recognise outstanding achievements among our FTE Americas Digital Transformation Power List nominees.

Networking Party Sponsored by: T-Mobile for Business

FTE Global Pioneer Awards sponsored by:

Register now >>

Thursday 11th September 2025

Thursday 11th September 08:15 - 09:00

The FTE Data Sharing Symposium

Premium Pass

The FTE Data Sharing Symposium incorporating the early thoughts and recommendations of the work being carried out in this area by airline and airport members of the FTE Digital, Innovation & Startup Hub.

Moderated by:
Samuel Ingalls

Principal

Barich, Inc

Panellists:
Christian George Kessler

Airports Transformation & Innovation Manager

Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority

Keith Walters

Group Transformation Manager

International Airlines Group (IAG)

Gudmundur Karl Gautason

Director - Digital Development

Isavia

Register now >>
Thursday 11th September 09:00 - 09:30

Morning Keynote

Premium Pass
Thursday 11th September 09:30 - 10:30

Pilot stories: What hard lessons have been learned – and what are the secrets to a successful innovation journey?

Premium Pass
Format:

A fast-moving panel discussion where each speaker can share their innovation journey so far, including what worked, what didn’t, how to scale, and the strategies and technologies being implemented.

Moderator:
Kevin Kleist

Head of Emerging Trends

Southwest Airlines

Panellists:
Pablo Lopez Loeches

Head of Ideation & Entrepreneurship, Innovation & Customer Experience Directorate

Aena

Thomas Dworschak

Head of IT Digitalization & Innovation

Vienna Airport

Tom Cizauskas

Business Administration Manager

Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority (GRR)

Christian George Kessler

Airports Transformation & Innovation Manager

Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority

Nicole Hodges-Austin

Innovation Program Manager

Alaska Airlines

Justin Kester

VP-Global Sales

Synaptic Aviation

Questions to consider:
  • What are the most effective strategies for building teams to deliver an innovation journey? And what stakeholders is it important to partner with?
  • What are the contracting and procurement hurdles faced by startups with the potential to contribute to an innovation journey and how can those challenges be met?
  • How can you change established processes at an airport or airline to drive meaningful innovation?
  • What did you have to do to make innovation adoption happen?
Register now >>
Thursday 11th September 10:30 - 11:15

Tech & Innovation Briefing - Self-Service & Automation

Exhibition Pass
10:30 - 11:30

Networking Break on exhibition floor

Thursday 11th September 11:30 - 12:30

FTE Americas Innovate Awards Pitch Session: “Most Innovative Airline & Airport Initiative” categories

Exhibition Pass

At the epicentre of this show is the region’s largest and most respected innovation competition. Industry stakeholders will pitch on-stage in an effort to impress our judges and audience, whose all-important votes will dictate who wins.

The format will be 5-minute pitch sessions by 3 airlines and 3 airports for our shortlisted nominees with quick fire questions and comments from the judges.

Most Innovative Airport Initiative shortlist

Revolutionizing Airport Parking Management and Decision Making through LiDAR Solutions

Douglas Wycoff

Director Digital Technologies & Innovation

Tampa International Airport

Tampa International Airport is shortlisted for its deployment of advanced LiDAR technology across curbsides, roadways, and parking facilities. This privacy-safe, high-resolution 3D mapping enables real-time traffic analytics, hazard detection, and curbside optimisation, reducing congestion, enhancing safety, and supporting sustainability goals. By creating a live “digital twin” of its landside infrastructure, TPA is redefining smart airport design.

RapidPrint: Frontline-Driven 3D Printing That Cuts Airport Costs

Christian George Kessler

Airports Transformation & Innovation Manager

Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority

Patrick Skelton

Innovation Research & Development Program Manager

Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority

Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority is shortlisted for RapidPrint, an in-house 3D printing program that rapidly prototypes and deploys solutions to operational challenges. From custom adapters that cut restroom soap costs by 900%, to modular stanchion signage, historic lamp post LED retrofits, and HVAC parts that extend equipment life, RapidPrint delivers cost savings, boosts sustainability, and enables rapid innovation without lengthy procurement cycles.

Most Innovative Airline Initiative shortlist

Alaska Airlines’ Smart Ramp Program: AI-powered ramp operations

Bernadette Berger

Director of Innovation

Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines is shortlisted for its industry-leading Smart Ramp program, which transforms baggage handling and ramp operations at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport through AI computer vision, automated bag dispatch, and emerging robotics. By creating a “world-view” of ramp activity and simulating operations with a Digital Twin, the program enables proactive problem-solving, efficient routing for ramp agents, and more sustainable use of equipment — driving safety, efficiency, and on-time baggage delivery in one of the world’s most space-constrained airport environments.

Air Canada Clean Gate

Mohamed Gaballa

Director - Airports Transformation

Air Canada

Vivien Chan

Manager – Boarding & Deplaning Experience

Air Canada

Air Canada is shortlisted for its Clean Gate project, a cornerstone of its Airports 2030 transformation strategy. Clean Gate automates the entire gate process — from biometric self-boarding and document validation to seating changes and disruption management — eliminating manual, system-based transactions. Integrated into the Air Canada app, these innovations free agents from repetitive tasks, allowing them to focus on personalised service, while giving customers greater autonomy and a seamless boarding experience.

Register now >>
12:30 - 14:00

Lunch and networking on the exhibition floor with exclusive launches and unveilings

Thursday 11th September 12:30 - 13:45

FTE Digital, Innovation & Startup Hub – Networking Lunch and Startup Pitch Session Members Only

Corporate Partners of the FTE Digital, Innovation & Startup Hub are invited to attend this members-only Networking Lunch and Startup Pitch Session. Make the most of the opportunity to network with fellow Corporate Partners and hear from a selection of high-potential startup companies.

Register now >>
Thursday 11th September 13:30 - 14:15

Tech & Innovation Briefing - Robotics & Autonomous Vehicles

Exhibition Pass
Thursday 11th September 14:00 - 14:30

Post-lunch Keynote

Premium Pass
Moderator
Brian Sumers

Editor

The Airline Observer

Brian Sumers, an expert on the global airline industry, is editor of The Airline Observer, a newsletter covering the business of airlines, and a co-host of The Air Show, a podcast covering the business of the sky. Previously, Brian led aviation coverage for Skift, and was a regular contributor to Conde Nast Traveler and Aviation Week.

United Above & Beyond: Building the World’s Leading Airline from the Inside Out

In a powerful finale keynote conversation, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby will share United’s ambitious mission to become the best airline in the world. From becoming the first major U.S. airline to offer free high-speed Starlink Wi-Fi to as of this year leading the world in IFE seat-back screens, United drives to set the highest standard for passenger experience. Kirby will offer an inside look at the strategy forging this incredible transformation, including the cultural and operational shifts that are rapidly accelerating the airline’s progress. This session will highlight how United’s investments in people, product, technology, and innovation will reshape the future of aviation from the inside out.

Register now >>
Thursday 11th September 14:30 - 15:30

The FTE Robotics & Autonomous Vehicles Symposium

Premium Pass

Format:

Case study presentations followed by a panel discussion.

Moderator’s Presentation:

What are the key findings & recommendations from the autonomous vehicle planning, prep & trials that Aribo has been involved in working with the likes of the GTAA, FAA, ATL, ACY, GRR and more?

Corey Clothier

Founder & CEO

Aribo & Global Automated Mobility Lead, Arcadis

Insights into ANA’s smart ramp efforts, including advanced autonomous vehicle testing

Tom Kikuchi

Manager, Ground Handling Planning, Airport Support

All Nippon Airways

Insights and recommended practices from CVG on planning and scaling autonomous vehicle use at airports (Mapping, Testing, Modeling, Simulation, Testing, Deployment, Scaling. Rinse and repeat)

Brian Cobb

Chief Innovation Officer

Cincinnati / Northern Kentucky International Airport

Miles Garner

Director of Sales and Marketing

Aurrigo

Register now >>
Thursday 11th September 15:30 - 16:30

FTE Global Closing Party (featuring the FTE Americas Innovate Awards Ceremony)

Exhibition Pass

Make the most of the vital networking opportunities provided at the FTE Global Closing Party, which provides a final opportunity to spend some quality time on the show floor with a fun social twist thanks to our exhibitors who will be hosting drinks receptions, prize draw giveaways and unveilings. The FTE Global Closing Party will also provide the perfect location to reveal the winners of the FTE Americas Innovate Awards. During the previous two days audience members will have heard from industry stakeholders, each pitching on stage in an effort to impress our judges and their fellow aviation colleagues. Join us as we see the region’s largest and most respected innovation competition come to a close. The all-important audience votes will be tallied, and we will announce and celebrate the FTE Americas Innovate Awards winners.

Register now >>

Why attend FTE Global?

Don’t just take our word for it – read what FTE Global attendees have said about the show…

“My overall experience at FTE Global, as always, has been outstanding. The broad breadth of information covered in the conferences means you always walk away having learned something new. It has been an outstanding effort by FTE as always. Walking the exhibition floor is the most fun aspect of the event for me and there is a fantastic range of innovative companies here. Networking here is very easy to do – the event is the perfect size to meet the right people. I will certainly be at FTE Global again next year.”

Doug Wycoff, Director Digital Technologies & Innovation, Tampa International Airport

“Our experience at FTE Global has been great. I have really enjoyed the opportunity to meet with industry colleagues from airports, airlines and other key stakeholders. One of the things that makes FTE so neat is that the conference topics are always current, so this year I’ve really enjoyed the discussions on Artificial Intelligence and other new trends we are seeing in the industry. The networking opportunities have been great, and we absolutely will come back to FTE Global.”

Christian Kessler, Airports Transformation & Innovation Division Manager, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority

“It has been an amazing experience here at FTE Global this year. There have been wonderful networking opportunities, wonderful conference sessions with lots of discussion on autonomous vehicles, the use of Artificial Intelligence, Gen AI, and all of the hot topics that I am interested in. From a networking perspective, FTE Global is the top event on my list – I really feel like I have a wonderful opportunity to connect with people and learn about the services the fantastic range of exhibitors provide. I really enjoy the friendly vibe at FTE Global and I look forward to attending again next year.”

Martha Edge, Innovation & Experience Director, Charlotte Douglas International Airport

“The overall experience here at FTE Global has been absolutely wonderful. The opportunity to absorb so much in a short period of time makes FTE Global a wonderful event to attend. The conference sessions have been very informative with a diverse range of speakers and topics. FTE Global is an event that is very useful for any airline executive – you meet a lot of people in a condensed period and the networking opportunities are fantastic.”

Con Korfiatis, CEO, Oman Air

“My experience at FTE Global has been fantastic this year. I am a repeat attendee at the event – it has been excellent to meet all of the different exhibitors, touch and feel the technology, and understand the companies. What I have really loved to hear about in the conference sessions is the different perspectives from airlines and airports, and all of the different initiatives and new technologies that are pushing the boundaries of what is possible. I always leave the event having met new people and learned about new solutions we can try over this next year, and I will definitely be back at FTE Global.”

Bernadette Berger, Director of Innovation, Alaska Airlines

“The great thing for our team at FTE Global has been to try to understand what other people are doing and get great new ideas. I think United is doing more to innovate in more areas than any other airline in the world,but there’s still plenty of good ideas and innovation that’s happening outside and the opportunity to come to a place like FTE Global and learn what others are doing really helps get that creative engine firing and get more ideas. Our team wants to come back and share all the areas in which we are leading that sometimes people don’t know about – giving them the opportunity to come and show the pride that they have in that leadership role will be exciting.”

Scott Kirby, Chief Executive Officer, United Airlines

“My experience at FTE Global was great. I have talked to a lot of smart people and had a great time. The social events and networkingopportunities have been fantastic. I have had the opportunity to sit in on the conference sessions. The topics were really good – they are unique, but they are relevant to all travellers, especially digital identity which is on the cutting-edge of technology. The exhibition has a really good range of companies – you can come and see all travel has. Based on my experience this year, I will be back for sure, so I am looking forward to it.”

Yemi Oshinnaiye, CIO, Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

“My experience this year at FTE Global has been fantastic. It is my third consecutive time attending the event. The networking opportunities and social events have been terrific. The conference sessions have been fantastic as well. There are always interesting companies here in the exhibition hall – this year was certainly another success in that sense for me. I will absolutely be back at FTE Global again.”

Charles Duncan, President, Norse Atlantic Airways

“As always, the networking opportunities have been fantastic. It has been really great to network with a lot of like-minded people. One of the things I love about FTE events is that we get people of a senior level from airlines, airports and vendors, so it has been great. It has been a really interesting exhibition – it is great to see a mix of well-established companies as well as start-ups, and also good to see a number of new launches. The conference sessions have been really interesting. I have been attending FTE Global for a number of years and am looking forward to going to LA next year.”

Chris Annetts, Chief Strategy Officer, Heathrow Airport

“I have been attending FTE Global for over a decade and it is just incredibly refreshing to be not only in a learning environment, but a relaxed environment where we are able to engage in very healthy, forward-looking conversations and really try to push the boundaries. FTE Global is not the usual mundane conference, so I am super-proud of what you are doing. I have been absolutely overwhelmed by the number and quality of visitors to our booth. Of course, I will be back at FTE Global. It just never ceases to amaze me how much bigger and better the event becomes, and really that is the beauty of bringing airports, airlines and vendors together, along with regulators, so in an environment like that you can really never go wrong.”

Brian Cobb, Chief Innovation Officer, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport

“My experience at FTE Global has been fantastic. It is a great showcase of all the latest technology. It is very exciting – I am sort of overwhelmed by how much technology there is here, you can’t consume it all. Congratulations on such a fabulous show.”

John Thomas, Chief Executive Officer, Connect Airlines

“This is my first time attending FTE Global and I have really enjoyed it. What I really like is it’s a great mix of not only our vendor partners, but also airlines and a good representation of international airports as well. It’s good to share information and network. I’ve really enjoyed the opportunity to get away and be strategic for a couple of days.”

Mike Youngs, VP of Information Technology, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport

“It is my first time attending FTE Global. I’ve really enjoyed the opportunity to tell the DFW digital twin story for the first time out in a public setting. It’s great to see what other airports are doing around this space – it’s going to take a village to transform this industry. It is this type of environment at FTE Global that allows us to exchange what worked, what didn’t work, and the new innovation and ideas that are coming together. We’re all going to leave this event better equipped for what we need to do for the mission.”

Shaun Klann, Head of Strategic Growth, Willow

“LAX is obviously a great airport, so it is great to have the co-located FTE Global and APEX EXPO in Los Angeles this year. We are actually thinking about doing something special together with LAX and FTE for the show, so you can be surprised and looking forward to this.”

Dr. Bjoern Becker, Head of Program Future Intercont Experience, Lufthansa

“ I have attended a number of FTE events over recent years, some as a delegate and others as a speaker. FTE Global in particular, always attracts a diverse mix of experts and professionals from across the world of aviation. What stands out against other conferences is the inclusion of hospitality, technologists and futurists who help delegates learn from other sectors, which enables a broader knowledge and understanding of what else we can do to promote the aviation sector. Networking opportunities and social events are always of the highest standard and allows old and new friends to come together in a relaxed and fun way.”

David Wilson, Managing Partner, daa International

“ I felt that at Future Travel Experience the past week the conference has been excellent to not only be able to have though-provoking aviation discussions, but also to collaborate and connect to other airports and leaders in aviation.”

Naashom Marx, Senior Manager Innovation, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International

“ The networking opportunities are always fantastic at FTE Global. There has been a high level of interaction and engagement between delegates.”

Rick Belliotti, Deputy Chief Officer - IT (CTO), Austin Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)

“ FTE Global is a wonderful event. I have met representatives from many different modes of travel, and heard what people need to think about in the next decades. In terms of networking, the right players are here to have conversations with.”

Zachary Matthews, Senior Regional Manager, Business Development and Operations, US and Canada, Uber

“ I have particularly liked that the event helps from a strategic standpoint. FTE Global really allows for a holistic strategic mind-set. The conference sessions have been very relevant in terms of customer experience.”

Michael Morford, Airport Concessions Manager, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport

“ It’s great that we’re hearing about disruption. Blurring the lines between industries is very important, and this event does that very effectively.”

Rachel Walker, DDirector/MD Innovation & Solutions for Customer Contact Centers, United Airlines

“ I have been very happy with the conference sessions, which have been projecting us into the future. It’s my first time here at FTE Global and it has exceeded my expectations. I have met lots of different contacts – the event is very good for networking.”

Aymeric Dussart, Vice President, Technology and innovation, ADM Aéroports de Montréal

“ The panel sessions have been excellent, with good interaction with the audience. It’s a very forward-thinking event and people here are not afraid to talk about the future.”

Joshua Krall, Chief Technology Officer and Co-Founder, Boom Supersonic

“ I’d heard a lot about FTE Global from industry colleagues and it has certainly met my expectations. The conference sessions have been very interesting, and it has been my pleasure to take part.”

Christoph Rufenacht, VP Airport Development and Asset Optimization, Vancouver Airport Authority

“ FTE Global was definitely a great opportunity for us to network and to learn from all the players that are changing the airline industry and the travel industry. During three days we were exposed to lots of insights and we were exposed to a broader way of approaching our business.”

Alessandro Fusaro, MBA | Product Management & omni-channel Customer Experience, SkyTeam

“ The event has been very insightful. I’ve been to a lot of conferences, and the knowledge gained at FTE Global is unique and innovative. It’s very good that the event is all about collaboration. I will take some nice concepts home with me.”

Maria Rosario C. Jocson, Assistant Vice President, Centre for Customer Management, Marketing Department, Philippine Airlines

“ As always, I come away inspired, with lot of ideas and new perspectives to try to push my organisation even further.”

Guðmundur Daði Rúnarsson, Chief Commercial & Airport Development Officer, Keflavik (KEF) International Airport

“ I really enjoyed the event and seeing lots of interesting airlines and technologies. Highlights for me were the NASA and TSA talks and the collaboration work between the partners. There are differences we have, but it is very interesting to make it all come together.”

Lilian Narumi, Passenger Services Manager, Singapore Airlines

“ I’ve been asked by a number of people how FTE compares to other events on the aviation circuit. My response is that it’s very much a case of quality over quantity, with a more focused selection of relevant speakers and discussion topics, rather than the broad brush approach used by others. It’s this focus on quality speakers, innovation and informative topics that makes FTE the success that it is.”

Martin Bowman, Aviation Technology Director, Deloitte

“ The sharing amongst partners airlines and operators is what makes this show unique. Everybody gives a lot of insights on the issues and challenges of the industry and it is good to hear that there are similarities in the issues we are all facing.”

Alphonsus Chan, Manager, Corporate IT & Technology, Changi Airport

“ The show has been tremendous so far. I managed to see some incredible presentations from a lot of great people from inside the industry. We were able to meet with a lot of vendors with whom we have talked to before, but it is great to meet them here in person, which makes it a lot more efficient for us to make decisions on how we drive the guest experience for passengers. For me, this event is really forward looking – it’s not just about what people have accomplished, but about what they were trying to accomplish. So, I think that’s very valuable, as we are trying to move the industry forward.”

Bobby Schroeter, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Spirit Airlines

“ Compared to some of the other industry events which are a lot broader, FTE really focuses on innovation, so that makes it different. It is always about new ideas and new technologies that could be applied in real life problems, so that’s what makes it unique.”

Suhail Kadri, Senior Vice President Technology & Innovation, Hamad International Airport

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Vital Event Information

Future Travel Experience Global 2025 is a global forum that brings together airlines, airports, government agencies, vendors, start-ups, terminal designers, architects, ground handlers, destination partners and various other travel industry stakeholders to learn, collaborate and be inspired on their next moves to transform their organisations’ passenger experience, business performance & sustainability strategies.

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Event
Future Travel Experience Global 2025
Date
to September 2025
Location
Long Beach Convention Center, California, United States

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